Fourth Sunday of Advent 2008

Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent…

4th Sunday of Advent23 December 2007

Readings (Year A)

Isaiah 7:10-14Psalm 23Romans 1:1-7Matthew 1:18-24

A Thought for the day …

GOD IS WITH US!…

Today When we really love someone do we not seek to be near the beloved, to be always with the other? Is it not the same with God and us? Our God loves us so much that he wishes to be with us always, not only in this life but also in the life to come. This is what Christmas is about. In the gospel today we are told that the child to be born to Mary would fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means God-is-with-us’. This is indeed Good News.

We have a God who does not wish to be far away from us but desires ‘to be with us’, to be near the beloved. Sadly it is we ourselves who often keep God at a distance, maybe because of fear of committing our lives to him etc. But he doesn’t force his way into our lives. God decided to need Joseph to be the legal father of Jesus just as he needed Mary to give birth to Jesus. He still wants to come into our world through us if we agree to his request. Will we make space for Jesus in our hearts this Christmas and beyond so he can be near to us as he wants. What may be preventing this?

“Lord Jesus may we also be like Mary and Joseph – people of faith and trust who will allow You to come into our world through us, to allow you to be near us always so much do you love us. Amen”